Gig Harbor artist Mardie Rees’ statue, “Saint Anne,” was recently unveiled at the Saint Anne Hospital in Burien. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) commissioned Rees to create the likeness of patroness Saint Anne for the hospital. Saint Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary and considered to have the eternal presence of a grandmother […]
artists
Posted inPeople & Places
A Boat as a Muse
Close your eyes. Think of rowing, alone, across the Tacoma Narrows, maybe to Vashon, maybe to Commencement Bay. The currents are strong, wind fierce and, well, it is midwinter and sleeting. This was life before the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Yes, there were the Skansie Brothers’ ferries, but they just went from Tahlequah to Point Defiance. […]
Posted inHome
Artful Collaboration — Building a Gypsy Wagon
Denise Harris jokes that it was a “hairbrained idea” to build herself a gypsy wagon 20 years ago. However, she doesn’t regret the years of hard work that it took. It was a journey that brought her into collaboration with a plethora of talented, artistic people. Harris began building the gypsy wagon due to her […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Pier Six Press — Creating a Community through Letterpress Cards
With the creation of new technology, many antique skills have disappeared. One of these is the art of letterpress. Karen Sawyer, the owner and operator of Pier Six Press, says that letterpress “is the old style of printing — that’s how all printing used to be.” Everything is manual. The printer sets out physical type […]
Posted inAround West Sound
Gig Harbor Open Studio Tour Marks 25 Years
The Gig Harbor Open Studio Tour (GHOST) will be celebrating more than 25 years of bringing artists and those who appreciate art together during a weekend celebration on Sept. 16, 17 and 18. This year’s tour features 23 local artists showing their work in 14 studios open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 […]
Posted inPeople & Places
A Successful Artist Inspires Others
Kate Larsson became a professional artist just two years after retiring from her career as a marketing executive for Xerox Corp. Supporting herself as an artist for the past 24 years, she has a lot to say about being successful in the art world. “It takes discipline, endurance and the willingness to think outside the […]
Posted inPeople & Places
‘Playable Art’
The Verksted Gallery in Poulsbo is home to many talented artists, including Bob Rau. He creates what he calls “playable art.” That is, he builds musical instruments out of beautiful cigar boxes. This artistic craft bloomed during his retirement. He worked as an engineer for a marine construction company, retiring in 2013. Then, Rau says, […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Anna Brones — a Local Creator and Influencer
Among the many hidden treasures in the West Sound area is the large number of artists, artisans and writers scattered within the local towns, villages and backcountry communities. Anna Brones is one of those most talented artists and writers, quietly working in her waterside studio and influencing her audience in areas of lifestyle, mindfulness and […]
Posted inHome
“Restriction”
“Restriction” is a 40-by-32-inch, dramatic painting in the “Artist Behind Glass” series that is now featured at the Sidney Museum and Arts Association, located in Port Orchard at 202 Sidney Avenue. This is the Sidney Museum’s 50th anniversary. My 24-piece art show will run through August, and “Restriction” will lead the parade. It was selected […]